Chapter 52: 52: Departure

With the hole in the fence repaired and Aiko briefed on her responsibilities, Ryo felt a sense of peace settle over him. But it was a fragile peace, marred by the knowledge that he had to leave Aiko behind. Still, he knew he couldn't afford to dwell on his emotions, not when there was so much at stake. Sёarᴄh the ηovelFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"I'm heading out," Ryo said to Aiko, his tone gentle yet firm. "If you're hungry, feel free to cook something. Don't wait for me."

Aiko's eyes widened, her gaze flicking between Ryo and the door. "Where are you going?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.

Ryo hesitated, his thumb tracing the steering wheel. "I have to go back to my old base," he admitted, his gaze meeting hers. "There's someone there... someone important to me."

Aiko's eyes widened further, her expression a mix of surprise and understanding. "Oh," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Will you be coming back?"

Ryo nodded, his gaze unwavering. "I'll be back," he assured her, his voice steady. "But I don't know how long I'll be gone. Sakura—the woman I told you about—she's waiting for me."

Aiko's features softened, her eyes shining with a mixture of gratitude and sadness. "I'll be fine," she said, her voice steady. "I'll wait for you, no matter how long it takes."

Ryo offered her a small smile, his heart warming at her understanding. "Make sure you wear the omamori I gave you," he said, reaching into his pocket and handing her the protective charm. "And take this," he added, passing her the gun he had brought with him. "Use it if you need to."

Aiko nodded, her fingers closing around the omamori and the gun with a sense of determination. "Thank you, Ryo," she said softly, her voice thick with emotion. "Please come back to me."

Ryo's heart clenched at her words, his gaze softening. "I will," he vowed, his voice steady. "I'll come back to you, Aiko. I promise."

With a final glance at Aiko, Ryo made his way to his truck, his mind already turning to the journey ahead. As he climbed behind the wheel and started the engine, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled in the pit of his stomach. He knew the road ahead would be treacherous, filled with dangers both living and dead.

Determined to ensure Aiko's safety, Ryo made sure to close the gate behind him before setting off towards his old base. As he drove, his thoughts turned to the problem of protecting their new home from other survivors.

An idea began to form in his mind, a risky plan that might just work. He would need to bring more zombies to the area, to deter any would-be intruders from getting too close to their base. It was a dangerous strategy, but one that could provide an extra layer of protection for Aiko and Sakura.

With a sense of grim determination, Ryo continued on his journey, his mind already turning to the task of fortifying their base against potential threats. The road stretched out before him, a winding path fraught with uncertainty and danger, but he refused to let fear deter him. For Aiko, for Sakura, he would face whatever challenges lay ahead.

As he drove, his thoughts turned to the abandoned grocery store they had scouted earlier. It was a potential treasure trove of supplies, but it was also a haven for zombies. He knew that the store would be a risky stop, but he was determined to gather as many resources as possible for their base.

Ryo's gaze narrowed as he approached the store, his eyes scanning the parking lot filled with shuffling zombies. Despite the danger, he felt a sense of calm, his immunity granting him a strange sense of safety amidst the undead. With a determined stride, he made his way into the store, his gun at the ready.

The aisles were crowded with zombies, their aimless movements creating a macabre dance. Ryo navigated through them with ease, his eyes scanning the shelves for useful supplies. He grabbed canned food, medical supplies, and other essentials, his movements swift and efficient.

As he made his way to the women's clothing section, his heart twisted at the thought of Aiko. He selected a few dresses and undergarments, his mind flashing to the image of her standing in the doorway, her eyes shining with gratitude and sadness. He wanted to bring her comfort, to let her know that he was thinking of her even in his absence.

Exiting the store with his haul of supplies, Ryo found himself surrounded by the undead once more. He stood among them, a cigarette between his lips, the smoke curling lazily around him. Despite the danger that lurked within their ranks, he felt a strange sense of peace, his immunity rendering him untouchable.

With a wry smile, Ryo finished his cigarette, his gaze fixed on the horizon. He knew that the road ahead would be challenging, but he was determined to face whatever came his way. For Aiko, for Sakura, he would do whatever it took.